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What tips do you have to stretch your holiday budget?

Whether it's making a list (and checking it twice) or hitting the sales leading up to the holidays, moms look for new ways to make that dollar go even further. Some moms may even find that spreading out their shopping over a few weeks, allows them to focus on a few people at a time without getting overwhelmed.

What tips do you have to make sure that dollar goes even further this holiday shopping season?

I have 3 kids. Shylah (girl) is 6, Lilly (girl) is 3, and Allistair (boy) 9 months. Seems like every year Christmas seems to cost more and more lmao. I know it is because as kids get older, the stuff they want costs more. Our son will be having his first Christmas this year too.

What I have found in the past that has helped us sooo much on saving money, is I shop clearance leading up to Christmas. Then, as it gets closer, I start comparing prices in stores and online to find the best price for the toys my kids want.

I make a list of what I want to get. I put a lot on layaway so I have time to look for a cheaper price but still won't risk not being able to find those items closer to Xmas. I keep an eye on prices of things on the kids lists starting in september and compare those prices to cyber Monday or Black Friday prices. Many times the better deals (especially electronics) are a week BEFORE Black Friday.

I like to buy actual gifts instead of gift cards because I can find good deals on the items but with a gift card I have to spend that about. I can spend $20 on a gift card OR get them a $20 item for much less through price matching, coupons and sale shopping.

We have to shop for 5 children so making the dollar stretch is very important to us. We take inventory of the toys/clothes that they already have and what they actually play with or wear. No sense in duplicating things. We also pair up with the grandparents to make sure we won't buy the same things. Every child gets one "big" present and then supplement with other smaller gifts.

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